How to Treat People at Your Church - Pastor Daniel Batarseh

if you have the word of God in your hands, me the book of 1st

Timothy Chapter 5, if you've been following with us closely,

There is one verse left at the end of chapter 4 but we're not

going to unpack it in detail because we've alluded to it many

times and have drawn much from it and the first few chapters of

this book. So we're going to come to 5:1.

You know, when it comes to Preparing a message, oftentimes

the greatest struggle is not what you're going to say that is

there but oftentimes it's what you have to leave out.

And that is certainly true. With this specific message that

things were just had to be focused really because there

could have been so many other things that could be said

nonetheless we're going to trust that God has the right thing to

say to us through these verses. so, if you're there re with me

in verse 1, 1st Timothy 5 do not rebuke an older man.

But encourage them, as you would a father.

Younger men as brothers. Older women as mothers.

Younger women as sisters. And I'll Purity, let's pray.

Father, We Believe with even a verse or two, verses like this.

You have something deep to say to us.

And we lean in by faith and we ask.

Oh God. That you would grant us exactly

what your word. Has been planned to give us.

That it would transform our minds, it would renew our

affections for you. And for one another Lord made

this message, be assisted by the power of the Holy Spirit and

Lord may you cover every man. But bring to the Forefront of

our site. The eyes of our hearts, the

person of Jesus Christ and all his Beauty and wisdom.

Lord may his power be known this morning, may be felt and sense.

Lord, and may we be changed by. This is our need, this is our

great need today. Not just, for more information

about lure for heart transformation, may it come as

we seek it. So desperately, Lord, we declare

in your presence that we are indeed poor in spirit and we are

not ashamed of it. We are bankrupt without you.

We are Beggars and we know that you are merciful to give we

trust in you in this moment. In Jesus name, we pray, amen.

It's quite fascinating to see in the Bible, the different

metaphors of the Holy Spirit, ascribes to the corporate

identity of those who belong to Christ by faith.

The scripture is regard the church as many things a kingdom

A holy nation. A priesthood.

The body of Christ, the bride of Christ God's flock, God's

adopted children, just to name a few.

But what you have heard throughout this series in the

book of 1st Timothy is that on more than one occasion, God

deeply desires for his church to function as a family.

As a family, we heard it in that title that the church is the

household of God. And it is being emphasized Again

by this set of verses here which describes something quite

amazing. These practical set of commands

given by Paul to this young. Pastor Timothy tells us that he

is supposed to relate to the congregation that he serves as

members of a household. You know what that's proof of

right off the bat that's proof that God is not satisfied.

With you, and I just Gathering Together on a consistent basis,

so that we can corporately involve ourselves in some

spiritual activities as though this was some kind of a class.

No. God wants us to engage with one

another with such a deep and high level of affection,

familiarity, respect and loyalty that every single time, you

choose to come to one of the meetings throughout the week.

You would feel as though it was a home and not an event.

And the way the church can express itself as a family is

not by making the building Cozier.

It's not by getting comfy or chairs downstairs.

Where we Fellowship nor is it even about gathering in program

small groups? Though that may help to a

certain extent? The main way where we can make

this church and any church of any size actually feel like a

family Is by determining to treat each other in a certain

way to simple. Is that?

With this in mind, we must seek God's wisdom in knowing the

Dynamics that we must be committed to.

In order for us to see and experience what he has designed

for his church. And what will require of us?

Well, what it requires for any family to function

appropriately, a level of commitment, Commitment in

various areas. And here's what I want to say.

Right from the beginning, if you choose this morning to hear

these commitments, these vows these pledges that.

Each of us must take a hold for ourselves.

If you refuse it, if you reject, if you do not take it seriously,

that I have to say this boldly, but because it's true.

Nobody has the right to feel like they're an outsider in this

church. Nobody has the right to

complain. That you don't feel like this is

really something that they can connect to.

If you cannot commit to these things that will be described in

a moment. But at the same time, if you

choose to say, you know, I want to really, I really want to know

what this is. I really want to feel like a

family. I really want to be involved in

that the know this, you honor these pledges you obey them.

You commit to them and I guarantee you not by my own

opinion, but by the authority of the word of God, you will know a

deeper bond that any family, you are part of and it will be

greater than what ties you by Blood.

It will be something. That is much more significant

and profound and that is the spirit of the the Living God

that connects you with others. And so what kind of commitments

are we talking about here? It's more than you just signing

a membership sheet. Something much more sacrificial.

Something much more much more important than you having a

name. Someone a document.

Let me say this number one that must be commitment to

unquestionable. Love.

A commitment to unquestionable. Love, you know what's amazing is

that the sign of any healthy Christ influence family, is that

it provides an atmosphere in which every member senses and is

comforted and assured that they are cherished.

As we just read every person, you know what he's saying here?

Every single person, every single person in your

congregation Timothy has a title of someone that belongs in a

home. Whether you're old, whether

you're young with your father, whether your mother, whether

you're a teenager, it doesn't matter, you are somebody's dad,

you are, somebody's mom, you were somebody's child, you were

somebody's sibling in the spirit nobody is left out.

There's not one category of person in the church that is

Exempt from this and that requires some of the Bible

speaks about in So Many occasions.

That there is an affection that is known amongst a family and

this is what's being emphasized here.

But here's my question. What is that?

Love feel like, let's not just be theoretical here.

Oh, I love you brother. People throw that you love.

Pizza the way you love me. You say you love everything but

what does that love feel like what does it look like?

Well, there's many places we can go.

Right, let's go to this one place.

Turn your Bibles with me in second Corinthians. 12:14.

2 Corinthians 12:14

Look what Paul says to this church and I encourage you this

morning. You got to hold on to your

Bibles because there's much scripture to discover.

Paul says in 2nd Corinthians 12, verse 14 here.

For the third time. I'm ready to come to you and I

will not be a burden. For I seek not what is yours?

But you for children are not obligated to save up for their

parents but parents for their children.

With this particular Church Paul was concerned that there would

be a stumbling block between the Corinthians and his ministry and

he didn't want to cause an issue.

So he did not demand nor would he receive any financial support

from them. Not that he would reject it at

all places, but in this particular case, they were not

very appreciative of Paul and he wasn't going to be offended by

that. Is he going to make any request?

So he said, you know what, I'm not here to put a burden on you.

Because if this is going to be some kind of a problem and it's

going to affect the way you receive the Gospel and the truth

of God's word then forget about I'll let go of any right so that

I can boast in this and a minister must exercise, such

wisdom and different seasons of circumstances as he goes along

and the call that God has called them for.

But notice what he says to them personally that you miss it.

He says here and I will not be a burden for I seek not, what is

yours but you In other words, I'm not coming to see you.

Nor am I coming to serve you? Because I have some ulterior

motive to take advantage of you and satisfy some kind of selfish

pleasure or Pursuit that I have. I don't relate to you in such a

way. I don't see you in such a

manner. You see?

A spiritual leader and a church. Does not see his congregation as

clients. Nor has his audience nor as his

fans, any person in a leadership position that does so you better

believe that they are exercising their gift and they are giving

their time for the sole purpose of personal gain.

But this man he was not just a teacher, he was not just an

apostle, he was not just a preacher know.

He was a father he told the same church you have many teachers

but very few fathers. And a spiritual father, does not

provide for his children the same way that our restaurant

caters to its customers. No, he offers his time, his

attention, his resources for them, not to get something from

them. And that's exactly what he's

saying here and pauses, I'm not doing this.

I'm not doing all of this for you to feel compelled that you

need to repay me. That that's not my goal.

I want to win your heart to love the Lord more and more.

The Lord Jesus Christ. I want you to receive for my

Ministry and my fellowship in a way that it would influence your

walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. I want you to know that every

time I step into your presence, you would sensor array of God's

love my involvement in your life is to build you.

It's the serve you. It's to fill you even if I have

to empty myself. Whenever we come into contact

with each other, Paul saying, you'll be reminded that there is

somebody on this Earth that loves you with, Christ's love.

This in that echoing the words of Jesus Christ.

Don't think for a moment that Paul here is out loving our Lord

He is just a faint example of it because our god did not pursue

us to get something from us, but to have ice.

Right. This is the Lord need your money

this morning. No, he owns the cattle on a

thousand hills. The zoo.

Does the Lord need your cold religious rituals.

If he wanted that, he would have made robots.

He wants your affection to be set on him.

As he has said, his perfect love upon you.

He wants your heart. He wants you.

Now, what you can give him necessarily obviously when we

give ourselves to him, things will flow out of that.

But God wants what's inside, more than what's outside?

We have any doubt about Paul's words.

Here, look at the next verse in verse 15.

He says to the same church. I will most gladly spend and be

spent for your souls. With great, joy will be wrung

out to make sure that your spiritual health is intact to

make sure that you are Sanctified in your love and your

Devotion. To God, I will do whatever it

takes beat me to a pulp. Use me, don't pay me, whatever

it is and we say, Amen, brother. That's what they should be.

Telling those leaders that are in training in seminary, you're

right. Pastor should listen.

The Holy Spirit. Expects it to be reciprocal.

Because look what he says. Look at these painful

heart-wrenching words. Can you feel the ache in his

heart as he penned them? If I love you more, am I to be

loved less? In other words, Paul here is in

his in his Humanity, but also inspired by the spirit is saying

I long for you to spend your souls for my sake as well.

I'm giving myself to you. But what's amazing is though,

this man, live with, such a sacrificial Spirit.

It says, I will most gladly spend Even if you do not return,

the love, I will still set my heart on you and I will do it

with joy. Can I tell you something?

You know, you have reached a level of love in your sacrifice

when you are willing to give yourself to a people and not

expect anything in return and be totally okay with it?

How much of our service is motivated by something to be

returned to us, whether it's monetary or whether it's praise

Paul, lived above that, he lived beyond that, I will do it.

Gladly never recognize me again. Don't recognize me at the church

Bank, whatever. You don't say, thank you and

don't put me up on a PowerPoint, I could care less I will gladly

spend myself for your souls. That's a testimony.

Is it not for this church that they received from a man?

A spiritual father in this way? But wouldn't their testimony be

greater if Paul felt the love of his spiritual children?

It wouldn't be a greater testimony still if these

spiritual children, loved each other and there wasn't Division

and clicks. Absolutely Because that's what

we're striving for a church to grow into a family will require

each individual to grow and selflessness and a willingness

to be empty so that others can be filled.

It's an individual commitment that must be made.

That's what we're striving for. Love streaming from every single

heart in this place this morning.

So that whenever anybody walks and they will be submerged by

Christ affection, And oftentimes that looks like big acts of

service, doesn't it? But we limit it to that failing

to see that. It's those insignificant moments

in church life, that holds so much value, but we don't see it

and there's so many examples of it and let me give you one

because you read it in the gospels, I'm sure. 1st,

Thessalonians 5 26. You ready for this?

Greet, all the brothers with a holy kiss.

You've read in, Romans you read in 1st Corinthians, you read in

second Corinthians, you read it here and you read it.

And first Peter fibrous as kiss of love, the only place where

doesn't say holy kiss. Bible really cares.

The Holy Spirit. Really cares about how we greet

each other. Doesn't he?

Greet, all the brothers don't let anybody to feel left out,

even with your welcoming. Don't let one person leave there

without being greeted. And that idea of a kiss to an

extent speaks of affection and warmth.

It's not cold, it's genuine, it's sincere.

It's felt and there's a level of cultural context here, right?

Because we know that back then, and even today, many cultures

greet each other with with a kiss on, either side of the

cheek. That's very true for Middle.

Easterners is very true for Europeans and it's not true for

many other cultures. But the idea here is not about

the way you greet necessarily You remember those days, right?

Greeting one another talk about ancient times where you have to

touch each other's elbows and look the other way.

Hey brother, how you doing with a virus that you have a night

High, 90 something percent survival rate, but here's the

thing, people get hung up on this verse about, The kissing

aspect of it. And it's not that where we have

to focus its the word before kiss and it's wholly.

A holy kiss. Do you think that the Holy

Spirit only had in mind? That you and I would greet one

another with affection and the way our culture best expresses

it do we really think that the Holy Spirit only had in mind

that when you do welcome one another and you salute one

another that it's done impurity not in sensuality that's there

but oh there's so much deeper thought in these things.

And the way to answer the question is to Simply examine

the Bible and say, well, if there is such thing as a holy

kiss, then surely the opposite is possible that there is such

thing as an Unholy kiss. And would you know it the Bible

does give examples of an Unholy kiss.

This is where you need your Bibles.

Now meet me in second Samuel. 20:9.

2 Samuel 20:9

This is when David's kingdom was in a kerfuffle.

There is some issues going on here and there was a another war

that was ready to break out. And in this scene, joab says,

here in verse 9 of second Samuel, 20, joab, set the amasa

is it well with you, my brother? And job took a mess up by the

beard with his right hand. To kiss him.

But Amos said did not observe the sword that was in jobs

hands. So job struck him with it in the

stomach and Spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a

second blow and he died. So picture that scene joab comes

and this is a fellow Soldier. Grabs him by the beard, pulls

him in, gives him a kiss and he has a dagger that slips out of

his sleeve. And he got some And kills them

on the spot. Joab greeted him and so with a

kiss and in a certain direction that it contradicted the warm

greeting, maybe it's not clear yet and it will get clearer In

This Moment. Now, you have to go to the New

Testament and meet me in. Matthew 26, 48 to 49.

This is in that Sacred Garden scene.

We are told here in verse 48 rather of Matthew 26.

Now, the betrayer had given them a sign saying, the one I will

kiss, is the man sees him and he came up to Jesus at once and

said, greetings rabbi. And he kissed him.

What did Paul say? Greet one.

Another with a holy kiss, this is much deeper than about a

cultural way of saluting, somebody, And the Holy Spirit

has something much more important to tell us.

What did joab? And Judas do.

With their greetings. They appeared to be genuine.

They appear to be sincere but in reality, they were betrayers

filled with all kinds of evil, in their hearts, towards the

very ones that they seem to warmly greet.

So then what is the holy spirit asking of us?

He's not just asking for you to say hello to people when they

come in. He's asking that when you do

greet your brothers and sisters, that your heart would be free

from hypocrisy, that your heart would be free from deceit from

hatred jealousy and envy. Because it doesn't matter how

warm it is. It doesn't matter how many

kisses you do on each side of the cheek.

It's Unholy when you have a dagger in the other hand.

Because this is what it looks like, right?

Hi sister. How you doing?

Oh, you look so beautiful. Don't you?

But you've been gossiping about them all week. and you see

somebody else and you have that smile on your face, but inside,

you are riddled your riddled with unforgiveness and you

didn't have the courage to approach them about their sin.

So you harbored in, you said, you know, I'm just going to

greet them and that's it. Unholy.

It's an Unholy kiss. So what does that require of us?

Well, I should be able to have the confidence that every time I

come to church and I'm being greeted that, there's not one

person that is willing to sell me for 30 pieces of silver.

And there's not one person that's willing to greet me, but

they have a dagger with my blood on it, because they've been

stabbing me in the back throughout the month.

Greet one, another. With a holy kiss.

There should be no fear that there are jobs in the

congregation. There should be no fear that

they're a judases in the congregation.

There should be an expectation, not only of warmth and love, but

when those acts of greetings are performed, I have the confidence

to know that there's an unquestionable love in their

hearts, for me. What will it require for us to

be like a family? A commitment to an undying.

Uncompromised unchanging unwavering love.

Which comes to the next commitment that we must have for

one another as we're going to be a family.

That's a commitment to sanctifying inspiration.

Come back with me to First Timothy 5.

It's interesting to note that Paul's call for Timothy.

To relate to his church as a families in the context of

confronting sin. Do not rebuke.

Well when do you rebuke somebody when they're in the wrong at

least appropriately? That's when you correct.

That's when you approach. That's when you confront and

what's so, fascinating is that this tells us a great deal of a

major component A major ingredient.

That builds the church and makes relationships with, in that

church, like a home. You say, what?

Builds a home and what makes a healthy home is love sure.

But is it not true that in a home when it's so natural with

families that there's transparency?

You are the most yourself when you're at home and the doors are

closed. And the only audience in your

house and your living room is your family, right?

All guards are let down. There is an honesty. and to a

certain extent, that's what God's calling the church for A

willingness to be in your face, sometimes a willingness to

observe your life and your life being exposed to mind a mind to

your so that we can keep each other in check, you know what's

fascinating? Is that if you take it upon

yourself to look through the gospels and see the mentions of

church from the mouth of Christ. You will see that this very

little mention of the direct word church, right?

He talks about brothers, he talks about those who walk in

the will of God. Are those who belong to me?

My true mother. But If you look for the word

church and out of the four gospels, what you'll find is

that he only mentions it twice, Jesus, both times in Matthew.

The first time is when Peter had that awesome revelation of who

Christ was. And Christ said upon that

Revelation, this rock will I build my church.

And the second time is just in a few chapters later, where he

talks about the church and out of all the things that our Lord

could have explained about the practice and the habits, and the

ways of his church. He speaks about what the, you

know, it church discipline. Church discipline.

Everything out of all the things that we can speak about the

church just like, first Timothy the thing out of the mouth of

Christ. He emphasized.

He honed in on was how Believers in great detail and in a

protocol should approach one another to lead them to

repentance. Wow, that tells you a great deal

with the church is about and it's so fascinating that today

church discipline is becoming less and less of a reality. when

it's the very thing that Christ spoke about the most This

implies many things, doesn't it? Consider these two important

points at least number one that if you're a person in your heart

that longs to join a Bible believing, like a really

bible-believing Church. A God-fearing Church, a

Spirit-filled church. Then you must be aware that you

are willing to give your life to be exposed before.

Others. In such a way where you have

given them the right to confront you if needed.

In God's wisdom, he designed our blind spots to be identified by

the gracious and Wise Eyes of other people.

In our lives, making the church and irreplaceable.

Irreplaceable contribution to our spiritual health.

People who think that there are holy because they don't go to a

church because it's imperfect failed to realize the very thing

that will make them holy as the very church that they're

criticizing. God designed it that way.

Therefore, you ready for this? No man has the right to be

offended if they are in sin. And members within that church

or leadership within that church, confront them with their

attitude or actions that contradict the word of God.

That's what the church was designed for.

The very system that would wash and sanctify God's people is

where you're sitting today. We've made it about an event,

right? Just let me just be at a

distance. I want to hear the message.

Let it make me laugh or we let him make me cry.

And let me get out of here as soon as possible.

And I'll come back next week for the drive-thru sermon.

That's not how God designed it. It's not how God designed it.

But here's the second point in light of that, although it may

be a vulnerable thing, right? And maybe even a terrifying

thing, you know, yourself more than anybody else.

And, you know, your inconsistencies and, you know,

your failures and, you know, the fight that you have.

And you know what, you can fall into with your attitude, or your

words, are your actions towards others, but here's where we are

blessed. Here's where we are comforted

That the very same scriptures that call for correction are

connected to the reality that you are a part of a family.

To family. We're your family.

That's the place in which correction will take place in a

home. Think about it.

You think of this, the, the ingredients of a successful

home. You say there's love.

Absolutely. There's transparency.

Sure there is. But here's another thing.

There's safety. Their safety.

And so, I understand that there are those who are experts at

rebuking and correcting, and kicking out, but they're not

family, they're not operating as a home.

They're not operating out of that affection.

And that's why Paul here, by the spirit, deeply binds correction

with the compassion of a family. Older men is father's older

woman as mother's younger brothers younger sisters.

That's where this is taking place.

Now, we come, he begins to instruct this young Pastor on

how to deal with older men in his congregation.

And the first thing is, which includes older woman.

That there would be times that Timothy as a young Pastor would

have to confront those who are older and I don't know anybody.

Maybe you do that enjoys confrontation.

That is a difficult part about Ministry.

Pastors are not called to be nice and how you doing doing

well, and not, no, no. He's been charged by God to see

sin confronted. And deal with it.

But with a certain Spirit, you know, what's unique between a

young leadership in an older congregation is that not for

all. But often, there are older

Saints season saints that have walked through the church

throughout the years and in different Ministries and are

kind of set in their ways or I've seen things done in a

particular Manner and when it's not done the way they're used to

it can cause discomfort not for all and there is wisdom in which

older people have to provide something to a church and

there's no doubt about that, but sometimes that discomfort over a

specific thing can turn into complaints and then those

complaints Can turn into conflict very quickly and then

there's murmuring and then there's there's things that can

get really messy. and Paul says Timothy look, even older people

can have a none christ-like attitude in your church, but you

have to make sure that when you deal with that kind of an

attitude that you have the right attitude yourself, So he says,

do not rebuke an older man. A hold on, I thought Paul and

more than one place, especially to Timothy told him to rebuke

second, Timothy rebuke. So what do we have a

contradiction here? No, we have a different word for

rebuke in the Greek. This would rebuke in the Greek,

is the only time it is used in the entire New Testament and it

is much more severe and aggressive than just correcting

somebody verbally the word rebuke here speaks of striking

at Or beating upon. So it's actually verbal abuse.

And timidly. Do you have a position of

authority? You have no right to humiliate.

Those who are older than you. You have no right to disrespect

them. You have no right to embarrass

them. You have no right to tear them

apart with your words just because there's a disagreement

between you and them or even if their sin between them and other

people. You have no, right?

There is a special respect that is reserved for those who are

older than you in the Bible declares that from cover to

cover even in Leviticus. When an older man walks in and

says that the younger men should stand up and respect, And so

Timothy you better be careful and how you address those who

have walked through life much longer than you and there's so

many examples of that even when older men are found in sin,

remember Noah. I mean the Earth just subside

everything just calm down in the man becomes a drunk.

Goes to show that God can flood the world but if it doesn't

flood, the hearts of men, nothing will change.

What a picture, he drowns this entire Earth, and he leaves a

remnant of eight. People only for them to come and

step foot on the Earth again and corrupt.

It Noah. He becomes a gardener, he has a

Vineyard, he begins to drink and now he's naked in his tent.

And one of his sons comes sees, it much debate of what he did

comes out of the tent, to begin to tell his brothers and the two

brothers, who had sense, who had some reverence, they didn't even

go into the tent forward but backward with the cloth on their

shoulders and they stepped backward, and they covered their

father's shame. It would not embarrass him any

further. What a picture of how, we should

cover the sins of those who are older than us?

We're not looking to amplify what they've done.

We're not looking to shame them. We're looking to cover them and

honor them. And it's true for older woman as

well. We see an example of this in

Philippians 4. If you were here Friday you saw

this example but let's look at it and see it even in Greater

detail in the Church of Philippi and verse to Philippians 4, we

read Paul stops in his teaching and he says, I entreat you odia

and I entreat synthetic he to agree and the Lord.

So there are two ladies in the church and there's some

disagreement there. And how does Paul do it now?

Remember these letters would be read out to the church.

So you would have the leaders of the church, take up the letter

and say it out loud in front of everybody.

Just like in this kind of a setting and Paul could have

dealt with these two ladies in so many different ways.

And sometimes drastic measures call for drastic.

Methods. But in this case, there's a

disagreement and he goes, would you guys just agree?

Would you guys just agree? And he exposes them like you can

imagine the flushed face is right, you audience.

Integral gosh, Paul just called us out in front of everybody.

But look what it says in the next verse.

Yes, I ask you also True Companion.

He's writing to somebody specific help these women help

them reconcile help them, see eye to eye.

And look how he goes from correction to Commendation in

the same breath who have labored side by side with me in the

gospel together. With Clement and the rest of my

fellow workers whose names are in the Book of Life.

So the very same woman that he seeks to rebuke to certain

extent, he also uplifts in the sight of all men says they've

helped me in the gospel goes to show that you can help the

Apostle Paul and still have some issues with others goes to show

that. You can be a co-worker with this

blessed man of God and still have fleshly attitude.

Paul says, look, I'm going to correct you but I'm also going

to steam you in the same breath. What?

An example. Especially with those who are

older. Now, we can reverse this safely,

Paul told, Timothy treat them as mothers treat them as fathers

but can't we say the same and the opposite sense that those

who are older in the congregation though, the

spiritual leadership is younger, shouldn't they treat him as

their son. Right.

This is not just a one-way thing that the spiritual leadership

treats. Everybody else like family and

they just look at you. Like you're just whatever like a

babysitter. No.

So older men. Treat Timothy like a son.

How do you do that? Well, you give them verbal

affirmation, from time to time, you provide wise counsel here.

And there, you let them know that you're partnering with him

through prayer and different means.

How about older mothers? Well, there's that maternal

instinct is in there at Timothy should be open and should be a

recipient of their care, because that's how they're wired, and

not just the young spiritual leadership, but even the young

people in the church, let them mother you to a certain extent.

Let them cook for you. Let them invite you over to

dinner and and joyfully receive that.

That's the blessing of having, multi-generations, in a church,

There's so much. That's given an experience and

received an extended when you have different people of

different age groups. And so we see here that these

older people had a special respect reserved for them, but

then there's another category and that other category here is

younger men as brothers in younger women as sisters.

So what was Timothy to do as a person who is in a similar age

group as those who are young and the church?

Well, here's the plane thing that he should not walk with an

air of superiority. I'm the pastor and you're not

and we're around the same age. God called me.

He didn't call you. Can you imagine Stinks with

pride. And that Pride can manifest the

most. When there is a brother or

sister in sin and you confront that sin, how are you going to

do it? What words are you going to

choose? How will you sit down with him?

Will there be genuine affection or with the sense that you are

higher than them? Be careful, be careful Timothy

but here's a wonderful detail. That's added that you're

familiar with when he comes to the sisters.

He says in all purity In all Purity for obvious, reasons for

obvious reasons, but here's the principle.

That being committed to my communities.

Holiness is not just found in my willingness to confront them in

their sin, but also, in my willingness not to be

contributor to sin. That makes sense being committed

to sanctifying inspiration is not me willing to watch your

life and observe it and to sit you down when I need to confront

you with sin. No, it's in my willingness and

my alertness not to contribute or to bring in sin in the first

place. Because we all know that we have

the potential to not just defile ourselves, but when you are tied

in with a family, you can defile others.

Timothy, you're young, they're young ladies in your church.

You better watch your step boy. Just for Timothy.

Oh yeah. Pastors that are young.

Have to be careful. Not just men in general, hold

up. Men and women.

In this place, please realize that.

If you want to be in a church family, you have deemed it.

You have seen it as most of importance to come into this

place and inspire people and not defile people.

Here's a verse to consider, go to Hebrews chapter 12.

Hebrews 12 · chapter mention

Look what the author of Hebrews says to this Jewish Christian

audience. See to it.

That no one fails to obtain the grace of God.

That no root of bitterness Springs up and causes trouble.

And by it many become defiled. Now, we read that and what comes

to mind, immediately? that the author is concerned

that somebody would have Resentment.

Somebody would have harbored and festering, anger unforgiveness

in their bosom and over time. You know, this very well that if

you're a bitter person that it's going to affect your

relationship with others, right? That's how we see it in there is

application in that area, but I make the case today that root of

bitterness is not the way we understand bitterness.

And this audience, this jewish-christian audience that

was so familiar with the Old Testament would have immediately

know what the author was alluding to when he had said

this root of bitterness. Oh, you're talking about what

Moses said to his people before they entered into the promised

land may be thinking? What do you mean?

Well, you got to go to Deuteronomy, 29, and you go to

do around turn around, you'll know exactly what he means here.

By root of bitterness and it'll make more sense in life.

The context of the book of Hebrews.

And Deuteronomy 29, 18, Moses preaches to his people.

And he gives them warning because when you preach you

don't just encourage you worn. And he says here in Deuteronomy

29, 18, beware. Beware lest there be among you a

man, or a woman or Clan or tribe whose heart is turning away from

the Lord. Our God to go on and serve the

gods of those Nations. Now, look at this, beware lest

there be among you a route. Bearing poisonous.

And bitter fruit. Soon Hebrews.

It's not that the root is bitterness.

It's at the root will produce bitter fruit.

You know what? The trigger thing is about a

route. The part of the plan, that's

hidden. Underground.

Unseen unnoticed, unless there's digging that takes place.

It's camouflaged, it's not seen, it's not easily identified.

We don't know how deep those roots go.

We know that they're there but we don't know how deep they go.

We know how intertwined they are, we know how in grade they

are to the soil. And that's the truth about this

root of bitterness. It's in the heart.

And you can't make it clear. Right away.

But the danger is still there. And the danger is that when you

have that kind of a root of bitterness planted in the bed of

soil, the community. That if it is undiscerning Dan

undealt with over time it will produce a certain fruit like

weeds that will choke out all the other healthy plants in

God's Garden. and so calls for a discernment from spiritual

leadership to be able to identify such a route and they

could come from a man, it can come from a woman, it can come

from a clan, it can come from a tribe within God's, holy nation

and this route. Just that those little hideous

looking things. Is so powerful that it can bring

down an entire assembly of people?

Wow, here's the question. What is that route?

Let me ask you a better question.

Would you like to know this morning as you stumbled in here

to know, if you have that route in your heart because you can

find out right now? You can know right here right

now is you're sitting there. If you are a person that has

this route that has the potential to destroy every

person sitting in these pews today, would you like to know

very easy? The way for you to know.

If you have this root of bitterness, read verse 19 of

Deuteronomy, 29. One.

Who? This is the root of bitterness.

This is how it feels like looks like sounds like one who when he

hears the words of the sworn Covenant bless himself in his

heart saying I shall be safe though I walk in the

stubbornness of my heart. This what he just said, this

will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike.

You know what I'm saying? This has the potential to

actually wipe out those who are moist filled with life and vigor

and Zeal, and those who are dead and dry and lukewarm both.

What is that root of bitterness? How do you know if it's in your

heart? So it will manifest eventually.

But it starts with a thought. And here's the thought that

every week, you hear a message, no matter how much intense it

is, no matter how much it is filled with warning and you

leave here without an inch of you being even convicted or

move. In fact, on top of that, you

feel this, I can live how I want And it will be just, okay.

It's a perverted view of eternal security.

I can live how I want. I don't have to treat my younger

sisters with all Purity, I can mess around with a girl here and

there. And God won't do anything.

He won't chastise me. He won't discipline me.

He won't expose me. You have the root of bitterness

in your heart sir. You have the root of bitterness

in your heart, young lady. Were you don't sense the fear of

God where you not respond to the word of God with trembling?

But in fact, you are deceived to say I can still live the way I

am living, though. It is in contrary to the word of

God and I will be just okay. And Hebrews, he says, make sure

that none of you have the root of bitterness defiling.

Many that kind of an attitude corrupts.

Listen, you don't think this is real.

This is real. I'll never forget the

conversation. I had with somebody that was so

backslidden. None of you here, know them.

They're not part of this, they're not here, they're not

even in this state when I begin to ask and ask, how did this

happen? This person regularly attended

church and the things he was telling me he was doing, I

thought to myself. How can you even sit and God's

house and listen to a worship song and be unmoved?

Let me get this, tell me where it all began.

So just tell me where was the turning point?

He said, well, I began to do drugs with the worship.

Team of that church. I said The Who the worship team.

We still go out and smoke and drink.

Are they still on the worship team?

And he wouldn't give me an answer.

Defiling many. Defiling many.

That can happen from the leadership with a man like

Timothy, who, did not have the fear of God in the way he

related with people, and they can happen with anybody else in

this place. and so if we're going to be a family, We're

going to be committed to sanctifying inspiration, not

just in confrontation, but in you living your convictions.

By the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the warning. And this is the feeling that you

should have when you step into this home week after week.

I know that as I turn my back coming into the sanctuary away

from a defiled broken shattered world.

That is tempted me all week and giving me mixed messages and try

to pull me into Satan's domain. I am coming to a safe place.

I'm coming to a place where Holiness is in the atmosphere

where people walk in the fear of God, where people will help me

live above Temptation and not pull me into it.

If the church is a place of defilement where can men run

too. We're can woman run to, to find

a temporary Refuge. And so, therefore, we must be

obligated. We must fight for Holiness in

the house of God because we are a family, and that's what family

does. Again, I bring up the point.

It is a tragedy for somebody to grow up in a home where they

don't feel safe in that home. We are rest men because of that

we are rest mothers because of their negligence and their

abuse. They should arrest pastors for

doing the same in their churches.

Because this is a home, there's no room for abuse, there's no

room for manipulation. There's no room for being Sly

and sneaky and deceiving whether it's in sexual sin or any other

sin, including money. Want to know what the three

things that bring them pastors, fame, money, sex, And it goes

the other way around. It's not just leadership as you

just heard. It's the men of the church.

The younger sisters should feel protected and safe.

And it's not just for the men of the church, the woman of the

church should also, the men should be comforted to know that

my sister's will not lower me. They will not entice me, they

will not seduce me. I'm safe here.

I'm safe here. Now if we think for a moment

that this is just Pastoral Epistles, just for the pastor,

let's go to one final scripture as we close in 1st

Thessalonians. All the, the letters with the

letter t or together. So Thessalonians, just behind

Timothy. Look at verse 14 of chapter 5 in

1st Thessalonians. First Thessalonians 5, 14 and we

urge, you Brothers, not just leaders, not just pastors.

We urge you Brothers, the Brethren and the church.

We urge you Brothers, admonished the idol.

Admonish them, you know, the idol, the lazy.

Those that just stay in one place for out throughout the

years and they don't, they don't get active, they don't get

involved, They don't serve the brothers, not just the leaders,

the brothers are say, come on man, what are you doing?

Get up. I haven't seen a Zeal in your

heart for such a long time. What happened admonish them.

Encourage the faint-hearted just like today.

There's some Believers that are more scared about this covid

thing than others. What do we do?

We encourage them, we encourage them in light of the word of

God. We encourage them in light of

Truth. What just the leaders in the

sermon? Oh, you encourage the

faint-hearted, help the weak, and here is an application for

all of it as a family be patient with them all.

Be patient. Takes time for somebody to

change. We would like in a snap of the

finger. Yes.

And it can happen, but be patient.

And as a church, we can testify. I'm sure you can say, Amen to

the fact that this place feels like a family, right?

Amen. But there's still more, there's

still more for this church, to explore its experience and we

got to be patient as it grows as new people come in with

different personalities, be patient.

But as long as we are bound to these commitments, we will be on

the track. We will be on the path to

knowing what God longs to see in this place and what he Longs for

us to feel and to know. And to experience, we are a

family by the grace of God. We Are Family.

Let's pray. father, this morning, we've

heard you, so clearly With a set of verses like this, we feel the

sharpness of your sword. And yet we Rejoice that this

sword wounds only to heal God in this place.

May we be a people who are committed to an unquestionable

love and who are committed to his sanctifying inspiration.

Maybe be a people that strive for nothing less than a

spiritual family. Thank you for the relationships

in this home. Thank you that there is a group

of people here who are not satisfied with just coming to an

event. Thank you that there's a people

here who want everything that you've designed the church to be

for themselves. Lord, we pray that you would

protect this home. Lord, help us believe by faith

that no matter what the size is, it can still be a family.

We asked oh God, that you would show us how to be intentional.

How does to be involved in each other's lives?

Lord, we pray that everything from our greeting to one another

To knowing the great needs that people would have that needs

much intervention and provision Lord, may be fragrant.

With the love of calvary. We ask Lord that if there's any

person in this place. That doesn't feel as though this

home is their family. Let them sense the love in our

hearts. And Lord.

If there's anybody in this place that doesn't feel like they're a

part of this family. Not for the reasons that we just

heard about for the reasons of salvation.

Let them hear your call this morning in this moment.

Let them hear your call to be adopted to have a name in The

Book of Life but also have a name amongst the children of

God, please. Lord your Holy Spirit can use a

message as practical as it was to save a soul.

We believe that. And we ask that your spirit

would do just that, even in these brief moments, God, we

praise you for your wisdom, Lord, we praise you that in

every verse you could speak to our lives, so deeply And we give

you honor and Glory. Oh God, you are a wise God,

you're a loving. God, you're perfect.

We acknowledge you in this moment as we worship without

song or tune, just from hearing the word.

We Want To Praise Your Holy Name.

We thank you so much. Father that you've guided us,

and that your promises are true. That when we honor your word,

you will honor our lives and solo we submit a fresh.

We allowed this word to wash over us and to cleanse us and to

purify us. Lord, if we haven't known it

yet, let it be known. Now that as we look at when he

one another as we see each other, as we greet each other,

as we do life with each other, that we would see one another as

fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters.

Only you can do that work in our hearts, to take strangers from

different cultures and backgrounds and make them feel

like our own. May it be so by your grace in

Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

Amen. Only you can do that work in our

hearts, to take strangers from different cultures and

backgrounds and make them feel like our own.

May it be so by your grace in Jesus name, we pray.

Amen. Amen.